SNU and national education in crisis

Eight out of 10 professors at Seoul National University (SNU) reportedly feel that their school and the national education system in general are in crisis. According to a survey issued by the SNU faculty association, the crisis stems from the lack of viable education policies, government infringement upon the university`s independence and an imbalance among the various disciplines, among other things. Survey respondents pointed out that the government failed to establish medium- and long-term educational policies and changed its tack too frequently, thus plunging the university into disarray. Specifically, the Brain Korea (BK) 21 program, into which a total of 1.4 trillion won was funneled, is foundering and looks to be an outright failure.

Those surveyed also voiced concerns that the college entrance exam reform policies the government recently introduced would undermine SNU`s status as a leader in university education and research. Excessive bureaucratic intervention and regulations are the prime cause of the deteriorating educational environment. As long as education authorities insist on interfering with the university`s administration by fixing enrollment quotas and setting entrance examination standards, among other things, there is little hope for the healthy development of Korean colleges and universities. As for SNU, its president has no authority over budgeting and personnel appointments.

Due to the policy emphasis on practical studies, basic study fields are on the brink of collapse. This could result in unbalanced development among the various academic disciplines and weaken the nation`s competitiveness in the long run. University authorities are urged to reflect on their inveterate practice of recruiting the most talented freshmen but making little effort to ensure that they become able graduates. A number of statistical indicators point to the disastrous state of national education. Last year, the amount of state subsidies for higher education in Korea was only one-third the average among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The number of tenured professors was less than 50 percent of the OECD average. With a professor-student ratio of 39.7, Korea came 43rd and last among the OECD nations.

Both public and private colleges should be self-regulating. First and foremost, systems have to be put in place to allow professors to demonstrate their creativity and convey their skills and knowledge to students. To this end, government educational policies that impede the right of universities to be independent and self-regulating must be eliminated. Education authorities are urged to heed the voices of SNU professors and seriously consider what would be the best way to upgrade productivity and competitiveness at Korean universities.